repay

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "repay" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the act of returning a favor, debt, or kindness to someone. Example: "I plan to repay my friend for helping me move by treating him to dinner."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But Greek voters are equally certain that it's unfair for them to suffer years of slim government budgets and high unemployment in order to repay foreign banks and richer northern neighbors, which have reaped outsized benefits from closer European integration.

The New York Times

Graduates who earn more will repay more each month, so the system is fair and affordable; and those who enter a more lucrative profession will pay a higher rate of interest, and ultimately contribute more to the cost of their university education.

The Guardian

"I have to send money home, my family only have five months to repay the debt".

The Guardian

Walking away is no way to repay that.

The Guardian - Sport

"What I'm looking for on Wednesday is 11 angry men who are prepared to repay those fans by winning the Uefa Cup".

The Guardian - Sport

"It was a debt I had to repay.

The Guardian

But less than two hours later Darling confirmed that he would repay around £700 to cover the cost of service charge from the time he moved into Downing Street.

The Guardian

What they do is assess how likely a borrower is to be able to repay its debts and help those trading debt contracts in the secondary market.

The Guardian

On Tuesday, Greece faces having to repay around €770m (£560m) to the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

The Guardian

This scheme has financially ruined many hospitals, leaving them to draw on finances normally reserved for staff and supplies to repay steep mortgages.

The Guardian - Opinion

A couple of years ago in Oxford he had spoken of the "almost moribund" New York theatre – "one straight play last year and that didn't repay the investors despite good reviews.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "repay" in the context of debts, clearly specify the amount being repaid and the recipient. This avoids ambiguity and ensures clarity in financial discussions.

Common error

Avoid using "repay" when the intended meaning is simply to 'pay'. "Repay" implies returning something previously received, not just any payment.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "repay" is a transitive verb. It requires a direct object, indicating what is being returned or given back. Ludwig provides examples where "repay" is used in various contexts, such as repaying a loan or a kindness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Formal & Business

10%

Science

5%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "repay" is a transitive verb commonly used to describe the act of returning something, whether it's a financial debt, a favor, or a kindness. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used across various contexts, particularly in news and business settings. To ensure clarity, it's best to specify what is being repaid and to whom. While alternatives like "pay back" or "reimburse" exist, "repay" maintains a formal and neutral tone suitable for diverse scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

pay back

This is a more informal and direct way of saying "repay", often used in everyday conversation.

reimburse

This implies compensating someone for expenses they incurred.

refund

This specifically refers to returning money that was overpaid or incorrectly charged.

compensate

This suggests providing something, usually money, as restitution for loss or harm.

requite

This refers to returning a favor or kindness.

settle

This suggests resolving a debt or obligation.

discharge

This implies fulfilling an obligation, such as a debt or duty.

clear

This suggests eliminating a debt or obligation completely.

return

This is a general term for giving something back.

make restitution

This refers to making amends for a wrong or injury.

FAQs

How to use "repay" in a sentence?

You can use "repay" to describe returning money owed, as in "I need to repay my loan". It can also refer to returning a favor, such as "I'll find a way to repay your kindness".

What can I say instead of "repay"?

Alternatives include "pay back", "refund", or "reimburse", depending on the context.

Which is correct, "repay the debt" or "pay the debt"?

"Repay the debt" emphasizes the act of returning money previously borrowed. "Pay the debt" is more general and simply indicates settling the obligation. Both are correct, but the nuance differs.

What's the difference between "repay" and "compensate"?

"Repay" implies returning something equivalent to what was received, often money or a favor. "Compensate" suggests providing something, usually money, to make up for a loss or harm.